French sensation Kylian Mbappe made a heartfelt pledge to Real Madrid fans at the Santiago Bernabeu on Tuesday, during his official presentation as a new player for the storied club. Amid a grand ceremony, Mbappe declared, “I will give my life to this club,” reaffirming his commitment to achieving his lifelong “dream.”
Addressing the crowd in impeccable Spanish, the 25-year-old forward spoke in front of an emotional audience that included his parents and fellow Frenchman, Zinedine Zidane, a former Real Madrid star and coach. Zidane has long expressed a desire to see Mbappe don the white jersey of Madrid. “Wow… it’s incredible to be here. I’ve dreamed of playing for Real Madrid for years, and today my dream has come true,” said Mbappe.
“I am a happy boy. I will give my life to this club and this badge. I am proud to have achieved my dream and become a player for the best club in the history of football,” he added.
Mbappe joined Real Madrid on a free transfer after his contract with Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) expired, signing a five-year deal. Florentino Perez, the club president, presented Mbappe with the number 9 shirt, previously worn by compatriot Karim Benzema before his move to Al-Ittihad Jeddah in Saudi Arabia last season.
“Twelve years ago, I invited a young man to Valdebebas who is today the hero of this moment,” Perez reminisced, referring to Zidane. “Kylian, you are here because you wanted to be. You have overcome all obstacles to wear this white shirt, the shirt of the club that has won 15 European Cups. Welcome home, welcome to Real Madrid,” Perez added.
An estimated 85,000 fans attended the presentation ceremony, which aimed to surpass the previous attendance record set by Cristiano Ronaldo’s introduction in 2009. Tickets for the event were quickly snapped up, with some reselling them to capitalize on the hype surrounding Mbappe’s arrival.
Real Madrid rolled out a blue carpet, instead of the traditional red, to welcome their new star in a setting reminiscent of a rock concert. The newly renovated and modernized stadium aims to host events featuring the world’s top artists.
Amid the cheers of thousands of fans, some of whom had waited for hours, Mbappe took his first steps on the Bernabeu pitch, mirroring the grand entrance of his idol Ronaldo 15 years ago. A video montage displayed on giant screens highlighted Mbappe’s long-standing admiration for Ronaldo, whose posters once adorned the walls of Mbappe’s childhood bedroom.
After completing his medical examination at La Moraleja Hospital, Mbappe signed his five-year contract at the club’s training center, posing for photos in front of the Champions League trophies—a coveted title that eluded him in Paris.
The French star’s number 9 jersey has been available in Real Madrid stores since last Thursday, with fans eagerly awaiting his debut.
Mbappe will enjoy a few extra days of rest before joining his new teammates for the season. Despite being eliminated from the semi-finals of the 2024 European Championship by Spain, Mbappe’s love for Real Madrid remains unwavering. Over the past two years, the club has maintained close contact with the player, with Perez prioritizing Mbappe’s signing.
After making his mark with Monaco and then PSG, Mbappe arrives in Madrid following a challenging European Championship where he scored only once from a penalty. His final season with PSG was tumultuous, especially after he announced he would not renew his contract. The move to Madrid has brought him a sense of liberation and relief.
At Real Madrid, Mbappe will join forces with Englishman Jude Bellingham and Brazilian Vinicius Junior, forming a formidable attacking trio under the guidance of Italian coach Carlo Ancelotti, who led the team to a Spanish Championship victory last season.
Real Madrid will kick off their league campaign against Mallorca, with fans eagerly anticipating Mbappe’s home debut at the Santiago Bernabeu against newly promoted Valladolid in the second match.
Mbappe aspires to win the Champions League and the Ballon d’Or, ambitions he has consistently voiced, along with his goal of “writing history” in the sport.
